TODD Murphy continued his ascension within the cricketing world last month, competing in the Under 19 National Championships. PHOTO courtesy Cricket Victoria

TODD Murphy continued his ascension within the cricketing world last month, competing in the Under 19 National Championships.

The Australian under 17 representative played for the Cricket Australia XI with his national side teammates, the youngsters upsetting a few teams on their way to the final.

The CA XI snuck into the knockout round ranked fourth in its group but knocked off Queensland and South Australia to make the final, where it fell to New South Wales Metro.

‘‘We had a really good side and when we put our best cricket together we were still as good as pretty much all the other sides,’’ Murphy said.

‘‘To be the first CA side to make the final was an awesome effort.’’

Murphy, disappointed with his personal output at the tournament, said he’d taken plenty from the challenging experience and high level of play.

‘‘It was definitely an eye-opening experience, I was challenged the whole time,’’ he said.

‘‘I was able to learn a lot off other players and the coaches we had, and even though I wasn’t very successful at the carnival I’m confident coming back and having a good end to the season in Bendigo with all the things I learnt.

‘‘The standard was definitely the best I’ve played in and was probably a bit out of my depth. But it was really good to see the level I’ll need to reach to be successful over the next couple of years at that level.’’

Murphy’s highest score of the tournament was 14 against Tasmania in his first game, where he also took a wicket.

The under 17 side was coached by former Australian international duo Ryan Harris and Matthew Elliot, as well as former Tasmanian captain Daniel Marsh.